My wife and I went to see Don in November 2005 during our honeymoon and was invited onstage with him. We told him we were from NY and his band started playing New York, New York. He thrust the mike in my face and I sang the whole song with his band in front of 300 people. After the show, we took our picture with him and he gave us a few of his cassette tapes. We still have them and they are our prized possessions. Don passed away several months later as he was very ill. He will live forever in our hearts. Mahalo for the memories Don.
My brother knew him & hung out with him in 60's when he was in the 25 th inf div . and in his bar before he went to Vietnam , and I went a couple years after him. He really liked Don.
I worked with him at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles in the late 60's. I was the fire knife dancer. I was in amazement of how kind he was to me. We chatted before and after each show. It ran about a week and we became good friends. A true gentleman. Not too many like that anymore.
I was stationed on Oahu in the mid 60's. My last night in Hawaii I went to the Don Ho at Duke K. club in the back of the International Market Place. Don put on a great show. He was very kind to the servicemen and we all had a great time. Thanks Don. RIP
Don Ho and his music remind me of my late grandparents who had his Greatest Hits CD released in 1989. When I hear songs like "Tiny Bubbles", "Pearly Shells", "I'll Remember You", "Ain't No Big Thing" or "Down By The Shack, By The Sea", I think of not just Hawai'i (one of my FAV places on Earth), but my grandparents, who also LOVED Hawai'i.
RIP Don. He was one of a kind. I saw him perform in Oahu a few years ago. He was wonderful. He met my two daughters in the room before he went on stage and was so sweet to them.
Despite a hedonistic lifestyle, Mr. Ho was a tireless worker... besides recording and his mid seventies ABC-TV show, he could be found performing constantly on Oahu. Nobody had a bad word to say about him and he was friendly - by all accounts - with everyone. He was very, very sick here. He had suffered a stroke and had massive heart problems at this point. He will be missed.
The Top 40 Band I was with did a couple of shows at his club. We performed first before Don Ho performed. Very Kind performer. I attended an after show party at his place with his show members and other friends. It such an honor talking to him and being friends with him. Bless him and his family.
What a great talent and a sad loss for the music world when he passed. Was introduced to him and his music through his many cameos on some of my favorite sitcoms when I was a kid. One of the most beautiful songs ever performed appeared on an episode of "I Dream Of Jeannie" back in 1967. It was called "Days Of My Youth". It was very popular on RUclips until Sony blocked it due to copyright infringement. Too bad because it's that sort of exposure that keeps his music alive for generations to come. Aloha Nui Loa...R.I.P.
In 1954 Ho joined the U.S. Air Force. While in the military, he started playing the Hammond organ as a hobby. Ho rose up the ranks, leaving as a first lieutenant in 1959. He then started helping out in the family's bar. Business was doing poorly so Ho's father encouraged him to play his music to draw people in. Soon Ho started a band and played his organ while serving drinks AirForce News of his passing at 76 and the memorial for former Air Force Lieutenant... youtubeDOTcom/watch?v=ZtLFD3GzL8s
It’s actually a sad story that’s unknown I happen to know it cause my father was with Dana one of his daughters from his first wife (they never divorced she passed) my dad was with Dana for nearly a decade and I was from 8-16 what I saw was selfish and sick from Don, his wife had MS really bad, he left her prior to even when my dad started dating Dana, but Melva loved him so much she refused to divorce him so they had a agreement that she’d get the Lanakai mansion and he’d visit her on the weekends (never stayed the night) he lived in a beautiful home on Waikiki with 3 WOMEN and also had children with all of them, Melva was very sick and could of divorced him and took everything but they had an agreement that when she died the Lanakai family home would go to their 6 kids, as because Don refused to be a husband their adult children took care of her, bathe her etc. it was definitely a family home with their kids and grandchildren there every day swimming in the beach. Well Melva died in 99 he immediately tells them he’s giving the Lanakai home to his new wife (he married one of those ladies) and when Don died she kicked all of Dons children out and sold the home for millions a home she never stepped foot in. I don’t see Don Ho as a good man I see him as a narcissist and his widow wife is lucky his original 6 kids haven’t told this to everyone as I would but they love their father.
Oh and not only was it a family home but they added a whole house to it when Melva was alive for Donna and her family to live in so it was definitely Meant for their family. For Don to have promised Melba that just so she wouldn’t divorce him and take everything and they took care of Melva just for him to give to his second or 3rd family (who knows as he was a HO) is evil
@@Amber-tu2ol My family was friends with Don. I don’t recall him having children with three women he lived with. Haumea didn’t have his child, only Patti and Liz, and his wife Melva as you said. I know my dad and my youngest son went to the Lanikai home one time. Hoku autographed a five dollar bill for my dad to give my daughter. My dad went to Don’s memorial service too, and kept in touch with Haumea after he died. It was a thrill to know a star but I always thought his living arrangements were messed up. Patti is actually married and she and her husband moved to Texas, my home state.
@@Amber-tu2ol I agree. I always thought his situation was wrong. He was nice to my dad because they were both in the Air National Guard and liked to talk about it, but his private life was sinful.
@@laurasavage1528 when my father dated Dana (Don Ho/Melva daughter) it was in the late 80s to I want to say 94 (don’t quote me on dates as I was a kid then I also lived half the year in Vegas with my mother) but what I witnessed was very sad, Dana and one of her sisters lived in the Lanakai house with their mother to take care of her (Melva) they took very good care of her, bathed her, took her to all her appointments, etc, while Dana could leave to run errands she couldn’t sleep over much at my fathers house because she had to care for her mother so we stayed the night at the Lanikai house a lot. Melva was in so much pain from MS that after she ate breakfast they would carry her to the couch where she would sit most of the day where she enjoyed seeing her grandchildren and family until bedtime she could barely walk in fact I have a hard time remembering her walking at all, Don would only come over on a Saturday or Sunday for a couple of hours and would sit in a chair next to the couch she always sat in, her entire face would light up when he visited while he did not look like he enjoyed it, then after at most 4 hours he’d go back to his home where he resided. Dana and my father talked about a lot in front of us and as a curious child I asked questions a lot as I didn’t understand, I was told by not just Dana but it was talked openly amongst her family how he lived in his Waikiki home with 3 girlfriends shocked I asked Dana why didn’t her mom divorce him, she said her mother deeply loved Don, they were married very young, she was old fashioned, and they made an agreement he would provide for her, and promised that the Lanakai house would go to their family (it was a family home in every way, all their kids and grandchildren came and go every day, it was very beautiful I remember as a kid thinking how awesome it was that all their kids and grandkids hung out daily and they loved that home) she also said her mother could take Don to the cleaners with everything he did and that was the only reason he visited her weekly, when he first left their home (I don’t know when that was as it was before my dad started dating Dana) he would visit more but it became less and less, and yes he had children with all 3 women. Now I did hear through my uncle on my mothers side that is a General in the military and his wife is friends with Dons widow that after Melva died he married a lady Haumea and my aunt had no clue of his past. I don’t know if his widow was one of the women that was living with him then and he got serious about her then married her or what but not many people know about his past as he went out of his way to keep it hidden from the public and his family helped him do that. I just find it disturbing that Don did not do what he promised his wife Melva and left the home to his first family as that was their home, they took care of Melva something he was suppose to do, and his widow did them dirty. It’s sad.
My hubby and I, have met, DON HO,a couple times, and have pics with him, plus Autographs! What an honor!!
My wife and I went to see Don in November 2005 during our honeymoon and was invited onstage with him. We told him we were from NY and his band started playing New York, New York. He thrust the mike in my face and I sang the whole song with his band in front of 300 people. After the show, we took our picture with him and he gave us a few of his cassette tapes. We still have them and they are our prized possessions. Don passed away several months later as he was very ill. He will live forever in our hearts. Mahalo for the memories Don.
My brother knew him & hung out with him in 60's when he was in the 25 th inf div . and in his bar before he went to Vietnam , and I went a couple years after him. He really liked Don.
I worked with him at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles in the late 60's. I was the fire knife dancer. I was in amazement of how kind he was to me. We chatted before and after each show. It ran about a week and we became good friends. A true gentleman. Not too many like that anymore.
I was stationed on Oahu in the mid 60's. My last night in Hawaii I went to the Don Ho at Duke K. club in the back of the International Market Place. Don put on a great show. He was very kind to the servicemen and we all had a great time. Thanks Don. RIP
What a treat to great Hawaiian artist 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
Don Ho and his music remind me of my late grandparents who had his Greatest Hits CD released in 1989. When I hear songs like "Tiny Bubbles", "Pearly Shells", "I'll Remember You", "Ain't No Big Thing" or "Down By The Shack, By The Sea", I think of not just Hawai'i (one of my FAV places on Earth), but my grandparents, who also LOVED Hawai'i.
RIP Don. He was one of a kind. I saw him perform in Oahu a few years ago. He was wonderful. He met my two daughters in the room before he went on stage and was so sweet to them.
Despite a hedonistic lifestyle, Mr. Ho was a tireless worker... besides recording and his mid seventies ABC-TV show, he could be found performing constantly on Oahu. Nobody had a bad word to say about him and he was friendly - by all accounts - with everyone. He was very, very sick here. He had suffered a stroke and had massive heart problems at this point. He will be missed.
The Top 40 Band I was with did a couple of shows at his club. We performed first before Don Ho performed. Very Kind performer. I attended an after show party at his place with his show members and other friends. It such an honor talking to him and being friends with him. Bless him and his family.
Good to see Don Ho in his later years. I was enjoying his music, great happy music today.
What a great talent and a sad loss for the music world when he passed. Was introduced to him and his music through his many cameos on some of my favorite sitcoms when I was a kid. One of the most beautiful songs ever performed appeared on an episode of "I Dream Of Jeannie" back in 1967. It was called "Days Of My Youth". It was very popular on RUclips until Sony blocked it due to copyright infringement. Too bad because it's that sort of exposure that keeps his music alive for generations to come. Aloha Nui Loa...R.I.P.
He is a legend! He will always been missed, but will never be forgotten......R.I.P., Don Ho.
RIP Mr Ho
Great guys, you did a very respectful and charming interview with an ailing Don Ho. Wonderful. - Guy Kent
Don Ho is a legend like. Hilo Hattie and Jack Lord ! 🌺 🌴
how sad to see don ho in such a frail state
Yes, they say you shouldn’t meet your heroes. We are just human after all. RIP Don Ho.
My farther loved don. Played him the Radio car IN THE SOUTH BRONX. WHILE ON PATROL ,40 PCT.1970-1987
Its a good feeling my grandmother was Hawaiian she met my grandfather in new York were ia was born 😊😊
Aloha Don still love ya your music is eternal
In 1954 Ho joined the U.S. Air Force. While in the military, he started playing the Hammond organ as a hobby. Ho rose up the ranks, leaving as a first lieutenant in 1959. He then started helping out in the family's bar. Business was doing poorly so Ho's father encouraged him to play his music to draw people in. Soon Ho started a band and played his organ while serving drinks
AirForce News of his passing at 76 and the memorial for
former Air Force Lieutenant...
youtubeDOTcom/watch?v=ZtLFD3GzL8s
Just a great man and entertainer, no one will take his place.
Nalo 'oe Don
I saw him in Waikiki back in the 60's while growing up in Hawaii.
@superserial1 He was ill, not drunk.
Very very ill, Don Ho would pass 3 months after this interview.
and i grew up with this music !!!!!!
aloha
nigel
switzerland
great singer thats all i am going to see
R I P Don............
ooooooo.......left that handshake out in the COLD! haha
Da icon , da king of waikiki
🙏🏻🐔
@MegaMusic1964 did he die soon after? you can see he didnt have much time left very sad
3 months later after this interview of heart failure
@@LEFTaTIPHe was 76 years old.
awesome : )
@stupidcupid2005 I am not sure exactly when he passed away. He had a very bad heart.
What happened to his first wife?
It’s actually a sad story that’s unknown I happen to know it cause my father was with Dana one of his daughters from his first wife (they never divorced she passed) my dad was with Dana for nearly a decade and I was from 8-16 what I saw was selfish and sick from Don, his wife had MS really bad, he left her prior to even when my dad started dating Dana, but Melva loved him so much she refused to divorce him so they had a agreement that she’d get the Lanakai mansion and he’d visit her on the weekends (never stayed the night) he lived in a beautiful home on Waikiki with 3 WOMEN and also had children with all of them, Melva was very sick and could of divorced him and took everything but they had an agreement that when she died the Lanakai family home would go to their 6 kids, as because Don refused to be a husband their adult children took care of her, bathe her etc. it was definitely a family home with their kids and grandchildren there every day swimming in the beach. Well Melva died in 99 he immediately tells them he’s giving the Lanakai home to his new wife (he married one of those ladies) and when Don died she kicked all of Dons children out and sold the home for millions a home she never stepped foot in. I don’t see Don Ho as a good man I see him as a narcissist and his widow wife is lucky his original 6 kids haven’t told this to everyone as I would but they love their father.
Oh and not only was it a family home but they added a whole house to it when Melva was alive for Donna and her family to live in so it was definitely
Meant for their family. For Don to have promised Melba that just so she wouldn’t divorce him and take everything and they took care of Melva just for him to give to his second or 3rd family (who knows as he was a HO) is evil
@@Amber-tu2ol My family was friends with Don. I don’t recall him having children with three women he lived with. Haumea didn’t have his child, only Patti and Liz, and his wife Melva as you said. I know my dad and my youngest son went to the Lanikai home one time. Hoku autographed a five dollar bill for my dad to give my daughter. My dad went to Don’s memorial service too, and kept in touch with Haumea after he died. It was a thrill to know a star but I always thought his living arrangements were messed up. Patti is actually married and she and her husband moved to Texas, my home state.
@@Amber-tu2ol I agree. I always thought his situation was wrong. He was nice to my dad because they were both in the Air National Guard and liked to talk about it, but his private life was sinful.
@@laurasavage1528 when my father dated Dana (Don Ho/Melva daughter) it was in the late 80s to I want to say 94 (don’t quote me on dates as I was a kid then I also lived half the year in Vegas with my mother) but what I witnessed was very sad, Dana and one of her sisters lived in the Lanakai house with their mother to take care of her (Melva) they took very good care of her, bathed her, took her to all her appointments, etc, while Dana could leave to run errands she couldn’t sleep over much at my fathers house because she had to care for her mother so we stayed the night at the Lanikai house a lot. Melva was in so much pain from MS that after she ate breakfast they would carry her to the couch where she would sit most of the day where she enjoyed seeing her grandchildren and family until bedtime she could barely walk in fact I have a hard time remembering her walking at all, Don would only come over on a Saturday or Sunday for a couple of hours and would sit in a chair next to the couch she always sat in, her entire face would light up when he visited while he did not look like he enjoyed it, then after at most 4 hours he’d go back to his home where he resided. Dana and my father talked about a lot in front of us and as a curious child I asked questions a lot as I didn’t understand, I was told by not just Dana but it was talked openly amongst her family how he lived in his Waikiki home with 3 girlfriends shocked I asked Dana why didn’t her mom divorce him, she said her mother deeply loved Don, they were married very young, she was old fashioned, and they made an agreement he would provide for her, and promised that the Lanakai house would go to their family (it was a family home in every way, all their kids and grandchildren came and go every day, it was very beautiful I remember as a kid thinking how awesome it was that all their kids and grandkids hung out daily and they loved that home) she also said her mother could take Don to the cleaners with everything he did and that was the only reason he visited her weekly, when he first left their home (I don’t know when that was as it was before my dad started dating Dana) he would visit more but it became less and less, and yes he had children with all 3 women. Now I did hear through my uncle on my mothers side that is a General in the military and his wife is friends with Dons widow that after Melva died he married a lady Haumea and my aunt had no clue of his past. I don’t know if his widow was one of the women that was living with him then and he got serious about her then married her or what but not many people know about his past as he went out of his way to keep it hidden from the public and his family helped him do that. I just find it disturbing that Don did not do what he promised his wife Melva and left the home to his first family as that was their home, they took care of Melva something he was suppose to do, and his widow did them dirty. It’s sad.